Thursday preview: US weekly jobless claims, Philly Fed index in focus
Investors' focus on Thursday would be on a raft of US economic reports.
Of potentially key interest among those would be the weekly unemployment claims figures, especially the secondary claims data which were considered to be closely correlated with the pace of hiring in the economy.
Also due out were producer price data for January, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's closely followed factory sector index for February and housing starts figures.
At least four top Federal Reserve officials were due to take to the podium, including Cleveland Fed boss, Loretta Mester, from 1345 GMT.
Across the Channel, in the euro area, European Central Bank chief economist, Philip Lane, was due to speak at 1500 GMT, followed by the ECB's vice-President, Luis de Guindos, at 1945 GMT.
Thursday 16 February
INTERIMS
MJ Gleeson
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Knights Group Holdings , Mattioli Woods, Mountview Estates, NCC Group, Triple Point VCT 2011 'B', Triple Point Vct 2011 A
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
M Winkworth
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
BP, ICG Enterprise Trust, NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD), Tritax Eurobox (EUR), Tritax Eurobox (GBP)
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Building Permits (US) (13:30)
Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Housing Starts (US) (13:30)
Industrial Production (US) (14:15)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (13:30)
Producer Price Index (US) (13:30)
FINALS
Centrica, HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited A Shs, Moneysupermarket.com Group, Relx plc, Riverstone Credit Opportunities Income
SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Mountview Estates
AGMS
Benchmark Holdings , Supermarket Income Reit, Tertiary Minerals
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Supermarket Income Reit
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Henderson Opportunities Trust, Imperial Brands , Jersey Electricity 'A' Shares, LLoyds Banking Group 6.475% Non-Cum Pref Shares